Bert was a Wireless Operator
in the Royal Air Force (RAF).
He was part of 426 Squadron
during World War II.

The log book details operations
that Bert and his squadron were involved in alongside photos and letters
related to Bert's service.

One letter commends Bert for his duty and is signed by King George VI.

NIck talks about his father

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Nick talks about his father

First and foremost my dad
was born in Croydon,
he was a man of Croydon,
he lived in Croydon most of his life
and this was a big part of his life.

But sadly that generation have
almost all passed on.
So rather than, as his son,
keep this in my garage
or in my loft I think
it’s almost a duty in a way,
a duty to put some of this on display
for the next generation
and this generation
too, to learn a little bit about
how such young people
did such amazing things.

My father is just one example
of thousands or even millions
of people of similar background.
But they did extraordinary things.

Bert Vine

Bert was born in Croydon
on the 22 August 1924
and lived in Upper Norwood.

When the war broke out, he joined the RAFand was trained as a Wireless Operator
at Linton on Ouse.

He was awarded the
Distinguished Flying Cross,
one of the highest military honours
awarded by the RAF.
This was awarded for an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations
against the enemy.

Find out more

The motto of Squadron 426 was
'On wings of fire'.
The thunderbird on the badge
is a mythical creature,
the sight of which
was supposed to cause havoc.

To find out more
about the RAF in Croydon
during the Second World War,
please visit our Research Room.
This is located on the lower ground floor
of Croydon Clocktower
and is open
Tuesday – Saturday, 10.30am – 5pm.